(PHOTO: “I wanted his name in lights in his own hometown.” — Ma Dukes)

Fuse traveled to Detroit to capture the sights and sounds of the annual Dilla Day, which, of course, celebrates the life and legacy of producer extraordinaire, Mr. James “J Dilla” Yancey. On hand were many of the beatmaker’s friends and fam — including DJ Spinna, J.Rocc, his brother Illa J — showing support both on and off stage.

“I think [his] legacy is innovation and musicality and just passion and dedication to the craft,” Talib Kweli told Fuse. “Instead of lookin’ for the spotlight, he focused on the craft which is why his following is people who are into the pure form of the music.” House Shoes summed it up succinctly by stating: “He made the best fuckin’ music that the hip-hop genre has ever been blessed to be listening to.”